Get them in:*Vice-captain*Rory Sloane, veteran small forward*Eddie Betts*and defender*Jake Kelly*could return from injury to face Carlton. Midfielder*Curtly Hamptonand forwards*Lachlan Murphy*and*Darcy Fogarty*will be considered.*
Under the pump:*Second-gamer*Myles Poholke*had just eight disposals against Gold Coast last Saturday night.
Medical room:*Skipper*Taylor Walker(hamstring) and midfielder*David Mackay(glute) are in doubt.*Sloane*(foot),*Betts(hamstring) and*Kelly*(hand) could all be available.
Verdict:*Will depend on how the injured players train during the week. At this stage,*Betts,*Kelly*and*Hampton*in, for*Walker,*Mackay*and*Poholke. No point risking Sloane unless he's 100 per cent.*- Lee Gaskin
Get them in:*After being rested for a week,*Luke Hodge*will come straight back in. The NEAFL team is killing it the past three weeks, with*Claye Beams*atop the list of players to impress.
Under the pump:*After being dropped once already this season,*Ryan Lester*has struggled since returning two weeks ago and had just eight disposals against the Giants.
Medical room:*He limped off in the final quarter, but*Jarrod Berry*will overcome his ankle niggle.
Verdict:*Expect a couple of changes this week. Hodge will return for the suspended*Nick Robertson, while Claye Beams or possibly*Sam Mayes*could come in for the struggling Lester. - Michael Whiting
Get them in:*Darcy Lang*was impressive in his first game of the season, finishing with 17 disposals for the Northern Blues. But he needs at least another game in the VFL before making his return to the AFL.
Under the pump:*Jack Silvagni*is struggling to win enough of the ball and may be ready for another spell in the twos.*Lachie Plowmanand*Aaron Mullett*are also battling.
Medical room:*Speedster*David Cuninghaminjured his hamstring early in the twos. The Blues hope to regain*Matthew Kreuzer*(groin) and*Jacob Weitering*(thigh).
Verdict:*Depending on who is available to return, expect two or three changes.*- Howard Kotton
Get them in:*Key players*Taylor Adams*and*Darcy Moore*could return from hamstring injuries, rested trio*Tom Langdon,*Travis Varcoe*and*Ben Crocker*are expected to be available and*Alex Fasolo*is close to breaking into the team. If Brodie Grundy isn't passed fit, young*Sam McLarty*could make his debut.
Under the pump:*Most under threat are the three inclusions last week – promising debutant*Flynn Appleby*and experienced pair*Chris Mayne*and*Jarryd Blair.
Medical room:*Ben Reid*(Achilles) and*James Aish*(knee) will both be sidelined for some weeks, Grundy (shin) is in doubt and*Brayden Maynard*(ankle) was also hindered against Richmond. At least they have players coming back.
Verdict:*If fit, Adams and Moore will come straight back, as will the refreshed Langdon and Varcoe.*- Ben Collins
Taylor Adams' return would make up somewhat for Reid and Aish's ommission. Picture: AFL Photos
Off the bench:*The Bombers are hopefulOrazio Fantasia*(groin) will be fit to face the Hawks on Staurday after two weeks out, while*Conor McKenna*is also ready to come back after serving his three-week suspension.*Jordan Ridley*and*Dylan Clarke*are also likely to be considered for debuts.
Under the pump:*Jackson Merrett*had only eight touches last week – the lowest of any Bomber – and hasn't taken his chance yet since being back in the senior side.
Medical room:*Mitch Brown*could be close after a couple of weeks out with a calf injury, while the big test will be on Fantasia's fitness.*David Myers*and*Tom Bellchambers*were rested against the Dees on Sunday and could be recalled.
Verdict:*Expect several changes after back-to-back disappointing performances by the Bombers as they try to kick-start their campaign.*- Callum Twomey
Get them in:*The Dockers have some thinking to do about their forward line. Not many options jump out to replace Michael Walters. Should*Shane Kersten*be recalled?
Under the pump:*Could Richmond's small forward line see Michael Johnson managed again? The veteran was back-up ruck in the Derby, but*Brennan Cox*could play as a forward-ruck.
Medical room:*There aren't many reinforcements coming just yet.*Bradley Hillcould be some weeks away yet. *
Verdict:*What the Dockers do without Matt Taberner and now Walters in attack is a headache. Kersten and Cox must be in the mix, although if*Tommy Sheridan*is called up after 29 touches for Peel then David Mundy and Nat Fyfe could spend long periods forward. -*Travis King
Get them in:*Gary Ablett*thinks he's ready, but a call will be made after Wednesday's main session.*Scott Selwood*will be back from concussion but*Brandan Parfitt*(foot) and*Daniel Menzel*(groin) will be tested.*Zac Smith, Charlie Constable*and*Stewart Crameri's*strong showings in the VFL will see them considered. With the Giants' strong key forwards looming large,*Timm House*could earn a debut to bolster the defence.*
Under the pump:*Late inclusion*Zach Guthrie*(four disposals) didn't nail down his spot in the 22.*Lachie Fogarty*(11 disposals) could be in line for a rest after a six-day break.*Jackson Thurlow*(17 disposals) was a late inclusion last week.*Rhys Stanley*was comprehensively beaten in the ruck last week.
Medical room:*George Horlin-Smith*will be assessed after he was concussed in last week's loss to Sydney.
Verdict:*Straight swap with*Scott Selwood*for*Horlin-Smith.*Smith*looks set to bump*Stanley*for his first game since round one, while*Menzel*and*Parfitt*could return for*Zach Guthrie*and*Fogarty.*- Mitch Cleary
Get them in:*With two games back from injury in the NEAFL, it's time to recall*Callum Ah Chee, and although he has his flaws,*Aaron Hall*has speed and excelled in the NEAFL with 31 disposals, 15 of them contested.
Under the pump:*After a terrific start to the season, defensive forward*Nick Holman*has struggled recently, including just eight touches and three tackles against the Crows.
Medical room:*Both co-captains,*Tom Lynch(knee) and*Steven May*(hand) will miss this week. Lynch will actually miss the next month.*Kade Kolodjashnij*will again be assessed following his recent concussion.
Verdict:*Some difficult decisions for Stuart Dew. The Suns have very few talls on their list to replace May and Lynch, so expect them to go with a small forward line and recall Ah Chee and possibly Hall.*- Michael Whiting
Aaron Hall has some failings but would bring in plenty for the Suns. Picture: AFL Photos
Get them in:*Draftee*Aiden Bonar*continued his solid form in the NEAFL last week with 24 possessions, six tackles and a goal, while*Isaac Cumming*could also be close to a debut.
Under the pump:*Harry Himmelberg*has struggled to have a huge influence playing as a key forward but his role in giving the Giants a mobile target has been important.
Medical room:*Toby Greene*(foot),*Josh Kelly(groin),*Rory Lobb*(knee) and*Zac Langdon(knee) are all in doubt for Friday's clash with Geelong, with all four unlikely to play if they can't train on Tuesday.
Verdict:*If Langdon doesn't get up, Bonar will be seriously considered, but playing Cumming in defence could allow*Ryan Griffen*to go forward.*- Adam Curley
Get them in:*James Sicily*will return from suspension to stiffen the backline and hopefully will not cross Michael Christian's path any longer. Vice-captain*Liam Shiels*is a walk-up start if he has recovered from back stiffness.
Under the pump:**The Hawks were reasonably depleted against the Saints, so to walk away with a 35-point win was a good result. Whoever makes way for Sicily and Shiels will be unlucky.
Medical room:*Ruckman*Ben McEvoy*sat out much of the final quarter on Saturday night, with the explanation that he was being managed once the result was beyond doubt.
Verdict:**Tough selection calls this week, but my vote at match committee would be*David Mirra*for Sicily and*James Cousins*if Shiels is passed fit.*- Ashley Browne
James sicily has served his suspension. Picture: AFL Photos
Get them in:*Christian Salem*will miss the game against the Saints with a broken thumb, while*Christian Petracca*remains in doubt because of a dog bite on his finger that required surgery.*Tim Smith, Cameron Pedersen, Josh Wagner, Sam Frost,*Joel Smith*will all be in the selection discussion.
Under the pump: Alex Neal-Bullen,*Jayden Hunt*and*Sam Weideman*will come under the microscope, but may be spared if Petracca does not get up.
Medical room: Jesse Hogan*(ankle/knee) will be monitored this week but should be fit to play.*Jack Viney*is a chance to be cleared to play the following week.
Verdict:*Tim Smith is a fair chance to play his first game for the season after promising VFL form and could replace an unlucky Weideman. Wagner seems the likely in for Salem.*-*Ben Guthrie
Get them in:Taylor Garner*(hip/groin) put his hand up for senior selection with four goals in his second VFL game, while*Mason Woodbooted six as he tries to regain the coaches' faith.*Paul Ahern*had another big ball-winning day and*Sam Wright*(foot) continues to gain match fitness.
Under the pump:*The Roos have backed in their players for most of the year, but something has to give with Shaun Higgins likely to return from concussion.*Cameron Zurhaar*has performed OK in the past fortnight, but seems the most vulnerable.*
Medical room: Shaun Higgins*(concussion) is progressing well and hopes to play on Saturday night.*Nathan Hrovat*(thumb) made a successful return in the VFL at the weekend, but*Mitch Hibberd*will miss up to three weeks after suffering a knee injury in the same game.*
Verdict:*Higgins plays if he passes a fitness test and will probably replace Zurhaar if only one change is made. But Wood and Garner could come into calculations. -*Marc McGowan
Get them in:*All Australian ruckman*Paddy Ryder, defender*Jasper Pittard*and midfielders*Sam Powell-Pepper*and*Tom Rockliff*could return to face West Coast.
Under the pump:*Aidyn Johnson*and*Dom Barry*were quiet in the Power's win over North Melbourne. One of the Power's defenders might be squeezed out to accommodate Pittard.
Medical room:*Forward*Chad Wingard*is set to miss a few weeks with a hamstring injury.
Verdict:*Pittard,*Ryder*and*Powell-Pepperwill likely play.*Johnson*and*Barry*are likely to miss selection, although one of*Jack Hombsch,*Dan Houston*or*Riley Bonner*may be left out instead. The Power might be cautious with Rockliff given the hard playing surface at Optus Stadium.*- Lee Gaskin
Paddy Ryder*(right) would be a huge inclusion for the Power. Picture: AFL Photos
Get them in: Brandon Ellis*and*Jacob Townsend*were squeezed out of the side last week. Neither played VFL and could provide fresh legs with the Tigers set to play their third game in 13 days.**
Under the pump:*Kamdyn McIntosh*was quiet possession-wise but spent time on the wing, effectively curtailing Jordan De Goey so might hold his spot.*Reece Conca*was also down on touches while*Jack Higgins*was the quietest of the small forwards. *
Medical room:*Trent Cotchin*is in doubt with a tender knee and will be given the week to get up. There are sure to be others sore given the Tigers' recent fixture, so surprise omissions are possible.
Verdict:*Ellis*and*Townsend*to come in for*Cotchin*(if too sore) and*Higgins.*Ivan Soldowill be considered to help against Aaron Sandilands, but the Tigers have proven that winning the hit-outs isn't the be-all-and-end-all.*– Jennifer Phelan
Get them in:*The VFL team had a bye but*David Armitage,*Hunter Clark*and*Rowan Marshall*are in the frame to return.
Under the pump:*Draftee*Nick Coffield*was quiet against Hawthorn while midfielders*Jack Steele,*Luke Dunstan*and*Jack Sinclairweren't especially prolific.
Medical room:*St Kilda is relatively healthy.
Verdict:*Armitage*in for*Steele*and*Coffieldto be sent down to Sandringham for*Clark. -*Dinny Navaratnam
Get them in:*Young defender*Lewis Melican(hamstring) could be fit to help the Swans' defence counter star Kangaroo Ben Brown if he can train without issue this week.
Under the pump:*Young midfielder*Dan Robinson*didn't have a big day against the Cats last week and could be forced out if Melican gets up.
Medical room:*Lance Franklin*(bruised heel) and*Dan Hannebery*(groin) have already been ruled out, while*Dean Towers*(eye) is also highly unlikely to play.
Verdict:*Melican's recall to help with Brown could be important and would allow*Dane Rampe*more freedom, so he may come in for Robinson.*- Adam Curley
Get them in:*If there are any mids battling soreness – Dom Sheed didn't train on Tuesday – the Eagles have options.*Brayden Ainsworthcould become the sixth debutant,*Mark Hutchings*racked 33 disposals up at East Perth and maybe*Brendon Ah Chee*could play against his old club after two solid WAFL games.
Under the pump:*Not many. The Eagles need pace and*Jack Petruccelle*will hope for another chance after a quiet debut.
Medical room:*There is a watch on*Lewis Jetta*who tweaked a calf against the Dockers.
Verdict:*If Jetta is fit the Eagles could be unchanged, otherwise rebounding half-back*Francis Watson*could be a similar type of replacement. -*Travis King
Get them in: Jackson Trengove*looms as the man most likely to fill injured skipper*Easton Wood's*spot in defence and can also help in the ruck. Dumped premiership defenders*Shane Biggs*and*Fletcher Roberts*could also be considered.
Under the pump:*Tim English*was quiet in the win over Carlton, and the second-year ruckman may need a rest after playing every game this season in the highly combative position.
Medical room:*Wood will miss up to a month after his troublesome hamstrings let him down again.*Jack Redpath's*season is all but over after he required further surgery on the right knee he's had reconstructed twice.
Verdict: Trengove in for Wood. -*Ryan Davidson
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